A SKYDIVING recruitment consultant from Woking leapt from a plane straight into the record books on Saturday.

Vicki Tomlinson joined 51 fellow female daredevils to make a massive red cross formation in the skies over Nottinghamshire. A first for the world of skydiving, the formation record attempt was made to mark British Red Cross Week and to raise money for the charity.

Vicki, 29, from Goldsworth Park, told the News and Mail about her adrenaline-fuelled exploits. She said: “This was the first time a red cross formation had ever been made in the sky anywhere in the world.

“The reason for the all-female formation was to promote the fantastic work that women do in the Red Cross.” Vicki and the rest of the team, who have dubbed themselves the Brit Chicks, now have their sights set on making an even bigger formation later in the year.

The prospect of skydiving is enough to give most people palpitations. It involves jumping out of a plane at around 13,500ft and hurtling towards the ground at terminal velocity.

After just more than one pulse-racing minute, in which a skydiver will fall around 10,000ft, the ripcord is pulled and the parachute opens.

The former Bishop David Brown School student is no stranger to the thrill of skydiving with around 1,300 jumps under her belt. She said: “My father used to skydive before I was born and it was very much something I was encouraged to have a go at.

“As soon as I was old enough — 16 — I had a go and I’ve never really looked back.” The Brit Chicks are aiming to raise £40,000 for the British Red Cross and so far have gathered around £25,000. To donate, log on to www.justgiving.com/britchickvicki.